Larry Thomas 1961-2015

Submitted by News Staff on
Larry Ray Thomas, of Eustace, passed away April 27, 2015. He was born June 20, 1943, and raised in Canton. Larry grew up attending the First Baptist Church in Canton, and would later be baptized there. Larry graduated from Canton High School in 1961. He married and had four children and continued to live in Canton. Larry moved to Mabank with his family in 1980. Larry attended the First Methodist Church in Mabank. He was a real estate salesman/broker and worked to develop tracts of land, starting at Westwood Beach off Lake Palestine in Palestine. He developed lake properties, such as Golden Oaks and Autumn Acres, on Cedar Creek Lake and Lake Fort. Larry fished Cedar Creek Lake and entered many fish tournaments, even winning some over the years. He loved to fish with his family and friends and loved even more frying the fish for them. In 2000, Larry and Janna Bell met and started dating in January 2001. They married on Dec. 23, 2002. Larry would later teach Janna to fish. Larry and Janna had several animals, including his favorite Rottweiler, Amy Jo. His beloved brother, Clyde Ancil Thomas Jr, preceded him in death in 1996. His son, Randal Tye Thomas, preceded him in death on Jan. 13, 2014. His father, Clyde Ancil Thomas Sr., and Evelyn Ruth Thomas, both of Canton, survive him. His loving wife, Janna Thomas, of Eustace, survives him along with his mother-in-law, Lilli Burnett, of Dallas and father-inlaw, Bob Bell, and his wife, Debbie, of Trinidad. His surviving children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, are: daughter, Tracy Thomas Logan of Allen and her children; granddaughter, Brittany Baker and husband, Cole; great-granddaughters, Avery Cole and Coley Raye Baker of Corinth; grandson, Blake Logan and wife, Brandi and great-grand baby due in October of Anna; daughter, Trina Schoenstein and husband Mike, granddaughters Jill, Allison and grandson Adam Schoenstein of Southlake; and son, Todd Thomas and wife Debbie, granddaughter Felicia, grandsons Brandon, Dylan and Dayton Thomas of Mabank. Other survivors are Aunt Marie Mince, sister to Clyde Thomas, of Weatherford; aunt, Hazel Pennington, and husband Bob of Canton; aunt, Janet Whatley and husband Jimmy Don of Terrell; uncle, Harmel Whitaker and wife Lucy of Plano; aunt, Beth Whitaker and Hope Whitaker of Canton; siblings and their spouses, Ruth Thomas, sister-in-law, surviving wife of Clyde Ancil Thomas Jr., Dianne Thomas of San Antonio; brotherin- law, David Bell and wife Chrissy of Midwest City, Okla.; and brother-in-law, Ronnie Bell of Dallas. Many more nieces, nephews and cousins and close friends survive Larry Ray Thomas. A private memorial for immediate family only will be held at Eubanks Funeral Home in Mabank on May 17, 2015. In lieu of fl owers, any donations can be donated in his honor to your local animal shelters.